Leaders of the Fly Express Travellers Association have dismissed allegations of corruption and mismanagement levelled against them by a section of former drivers, insisting the association has operated transparently and in line with its established regulations.
The dispute arose after several former drivers accused the association's leadership of unfairly dismissing them and denying them access to savings and other benefits they claim to have accumulated during their membership.
One of the complainants, Akim Mugisha, a former driver with the association, said they are seeking government intervention to investigate the management of the association and address what they describe as long-standing grievances.
"We contributed our money over the years believing it would secure our future. Some members feel they have not received what they expected and want authorities to investigate how the association has been managed," Mugisha said.
The aggrieved drivers have petitioned the Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, to intervene, arguing that the association's leadership should be held accountable for decisions affecting members' welfare.
However, the association's leaders have strongly rejected the allegations, describing them as misleading and the work of individuals who were previously disciplined for breaching the association's code of conduct.
Association Chairperson Peter Kaggwa said the savings scheme at the centre of the dispute was initiated by members themselves as a strategy to promote financial security and long-term economic empowerment.
"The savings programme was introduced by the drivers themselves. It has helped many members improve their livelihoods and prepare for the future. Unfortunately, a few individuals who did not fully embrace the programme now want to discredit the association," Kaggwa said.
He added that disciplinary action taken against some former drivers followed due process and was based on violations of the association's rules and operational standards.
"Those who were suspended or dismissed were subjected to disciplinary procedures after repeatedly violating the rules and standards that guide our operations. No one was targeted unfairly," he said.
Responding to claims regarding members' savings, the association maintained that all members who had accumulated savings were paid according to the agreed procedures and the association's financial records.
The leadership also revealed that members had previously agreed to invest part of the collective savings in land acquisition as a long-term investment aimed at strengthening the association's future.
"Every member who had savings was paid according to the records available. Decisions regarding association resources are made collectively through official meetings and not by individual leaders," Kaggwa explained.
The association has appealed to dissatisfied former members to pursue dialogue rather than public confrontation, saying its leadership remains open to resolving outstanding concerns through established mechanisms.
"Our doors remain open for dialogue. We encourage anyone with concerns to engage the association through the proper channels so that any misunderstandings can be resolved amicably," Kaggwa said.
Established in 2016, the Fly Express Travellers Association has become one of the organised passenger transport operators serving the Entebbe Expressway corridor, combining transport services with member welfare and savings initiatives.
The dispute underscores broader challenges facing transport associations, where disagreements over governance, disciplinary procedures and management of members' savings can often escalate into legal and administrative disputes requiring mediation or regulatory intervention.
